After spending two nights in ICU, Mohammad Rizwan volunteered to play in T20WC semis
Dubai (PTI): Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan spent two nights in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital here, battling severe chest infection but insisted on playing in the T20 World Cup semifinal against Australia, eventually top-scoring for the team in a lost cause.
Pakistan team doctor Najeeb Somroo revealed these details in the post-match press conference after the side's ouster from the mega-event.
Just before the semifinal on Thursday, batting consultant Matthew Hayden had simply said that the wicketkeeper-batter was hospitalised without mentioning that Rizwan was admitted to the ICU.
"Mohammad Rizwan developed a severe chest infection on 9th of November after which he was admitted to the hospital. He spent two nights in the ICU recovering. He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match," Somroo said.
"We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed today."
Captain Babar Azam said it was Rizwan who wanted to play in the semifinal.
"When I saw him, he was a little bit down, but when I asked him about his health he said, 'no, I will play'. Definitely he's a team man. The way he played today, it was exceptional.
"And the way he played today he showed that he's a team man. And I am very confident about his attitude and his performance."
The in-form Rizwan struck 67 off 52 balls in Pakistan's total of 176 for 4 after they were asked to bat by Australia. The Australians chased down the target with one over to spare in a sensational fashion.
The team doctor said that Rizwan's hospitalisation and admission to the ICU was kept a secret by the team management.
"The decision regarding and around his health was made by the whole team management. And this was regarding the morale of the whole team. And therefore we kept it within the team," he said.
Before the semifinal match, Hayden had said that Rizwan was hospitalised for a night due to a "lung condition".
"Mohammad Rizwan was in hospital a night ago suffering with some sort of lung condition. This is a warrior. He's been brilliant through the campaign and he has great courage," Hayden had said.
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Karnataka govt ready to assist stranded students amid Iran–Israel conflict: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said the state government was closely monitoring the situation arising out of the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Iran and was prepared to extend all necessary assistance to stranded people, especially students from Karnataka.
He said reports had been received that several students from different districts had travelled to the region and were unable to return due to the escalating hostilities.
“From Chikkaballapura district, around 150 people — all of them schoolchildren and college students — have gone there. We have received news that they are stranded there. We will try to reach them. Whatever help is required, the state government is ready to provide. We will get in touch with the concerned authorities,” he said.
Asked how he viewed the recurring conflicts between countries, the Home Minister said, “These are matters related to international relationships between countries. Some of these countries have been raising issues against each other’s policies. Now it has come to a stage where Iran is involved, the United States is involved, and Israel is involved. We will see whether this gets resolved or escalates.”
Expressing concern over civilian casualties, he said it is "unfortunate" that children, particularly the younger generation — about 85 people — have lost their lives.
On reports of schools being hit in the conflict, Parameshwara said this was not what people would expect from countries. "Hopefully, it gets resolved as early as possible."
Responding to a question that global conflicts appear to be expanding from Russia–Ukraine to now the US, Iran and Israel, he said, “It is not a good message. We have not seen this kind of situation after the Second World War. Now it is picking up — one country after another. It should not be escalated in the interest of humanity.”
